The HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase is intended for molecular biology applications. This product is not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease.

HotStarTaq procedure.

The HotStarTaq procedure is fast and easy for maximum convenience.

Superior performance.

A 497 bp fragment was amplified from 50 copies of an HIV-pol-gene construct which had been added to 1 µg human genomic DNA. Different hot-start enzymes were employed: HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase from QIAGEN (HotStarTaq); hot-start enzyme from Supplier AII (Hot-start enzyme); Taq-antibody mixture from Supplier L (Antibody-mediated); enzyme without hot start from Supplier R (No hot start). Specific PCR product is indicated by the arrow. Equal volumes of the reaction were analyzed on a 2% agarose gel. M: markers.

Higher specificity with different primer–template systems.

Three different primer–template systems were amplified under the same conditions with either Taq DNA polymerase from Supplier R (R) or with HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase (H). System 1: A 1.1 kb fragment of a D-IgI homolog was amplified from human genomic DNA. System 2: A 296 bp fragment from the chromosomal region correlated with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis was amplified from human genomic DNA. System 3: A 214 bp fragment of the β-actin gene was amplified from cDNA synthesized from total RNA. M: markers.

A 500 bp fragment of the murine p53 gene was amplified from single cells isolated by flow cytometry, and directly sorted into individual PCR tubes. Reactions were prepared in parallel using HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase and PCR Buffer from QIAGEN (HotStarTaq), a hot-start enzyme and buffer from Supplier AII (Hot-start enzyme), or antibody-mediated hot start and buffer from Supplier L (Antibody-mediated). M: markers.

Tolerance to variable temperature and magnesium concentrations.

[A] PCR amplification at the indicated annealing temperatures using QIAGEN PCR Buffer and Taq DNA Polymerase (QIAGEN). The same PCR was performed in parallel using PCR buffer and Taq DNA polymerase from another supplier (Supplier AII). The single-copy human cystic fibrosis gene was amplified. M: markers. [B] Tolerance to Variable Magnesium Concentration. PCR amplification at the indicated Mg2+ concentrations using QIAGEN PCR Buffer and Taq DNA Polymerase (QIAGEN). The same PCR was performed in parallel using PCR buffer and Taq DNA polymerase from another supplier (Supplier AII). The single-copy human prion protein gene was amplified. M: markers.

HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase, a modified form of Taq DNA Polymerase, provides high specificity in hot-start PCR. The kit includes an innovative dual-cation PCR buffer, Q-Solution, and MgCl2.

HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase

HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase is supplied in an inactive state and has no polymerase activity at ambient temperatures. This prevents extension of nonspecifically annealed primers and primer dimers formed at low temperatures during PCR setup and the initial PCR cycle (see figures "Superior performance in hot-start PCR" and "Higher specificity with different primer–template systems"). HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase is activated by a 15-minute incubation at 95°C, which can be incorporated into any existing thermal-cycler program.

QIAGEN PCR Buffer

QIAGEN PCR Buffer maintains specific amplification in every cycle of PCR by promoting a high ratio of specific-to-nonspecific primer binding during the annealing step in each PCR cycle (see figure "Increased specificity of primer annealing"). Owing to a uniquely balanced combination of KCl and (NH4)2SO4, the buffer provides stringent primer-annealing conditions over a wider range of annealing temperatures and Mg2+ concentrations than conventional PCR buffers. Optimization of PCR by varying the annealing temperature or the Mg2+ concentration is therefore often minimal or not required (see figure Tolerance to variable temperature and magnesium concentrations).

Q-Solution

Q-Solution, an innovative PCR additive that facilitates amplification of difficult templates by modifying the melting behavior of DNA, is also provided with HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase. This unique reagent improves suboptimal PCR caused by templates that have a high degree of secondary structure or with GC-rich templates (see figure "Amplification of difficult templates"). Unlike other commonly used PCR additives such as DMSO, Q-Solution is used at just one working concentration, is nontoxic, and PCR purity is guaranteed. Adding Q-Solution to the PCR does not compromise PCR fidelity.

Procedure

HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase is supplied with a streamlined, optimized protocol for fast and easy PCR setup. HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase is activated by a 15-minute, 95°C incubation step, which can easily be incorporated into existing thermal cycling programs. Reactions can be set up at room temperature, ensuring greater convenience and ease of use (see figure "HotStarTaq procedure").

Applications

HotStarTaq DNA Polymerase is suitable for a wide variety of applications, including challenging applications, such as amplification of: